For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12
“Simplicity means using money without abusing money. In the power of the Holy Spirit we conquer and capture money and put it into service for Christ and his kingdom. We know that well-being is not defined by wealth, and so we can hold all things lightly–owning without treasuring, possessing without being possessed. We use money within the confines of a properly disciplined spiritual life, and we manage money for the glory of God and the good of all people.
Simplicity means availability. Freed from the compulsions of ever bigger and ever better, we have the time and energy to respond to human need. Some, like pastors and others, are freed full-time so they can minister the word of life. Others will release blocks of time to further advance the kingdom.
Simplicity means giving joyfully and generously. We give ourselves, and we give the product of our life’s work… If we take the biblical witness seriously, it seems that one of the best things we can do with money is give it away. The reason is obvious: giving is one of our chief weapons in conquering the god mammon. Giving scandalizes the world of commerce and competition. It wins money for the cause of Christ.”
Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1985) 72-73.
The Apostle Paul describes the life of simplicity only possible by God’s grace, and Richard Foster points the pathway for us to take hold of it. We must “take the biblical witness seriously” and choose “simplicity and godly sincerity.”
Simplicity is one of the points of my sermon today at Crossview Church in Snohomish, Washington. It makes no sense according to earthly wisdom and the economy of this world, but it’s the pathway to life in God’s economy.